Sierra Steel Harley-Davidson Riding Academy Policies & Riding Academy New Rider Course Site Policies

This course operates under the provisions of the California Motorcycle Safety Program (CMSP) and overseen by the California Highway Patrol (CHP).

There are no guarantees that anyone will pass this course. This course is very demanding both physically and mentally. Coordination, balance, motor skill ability, age, language limitations and other physical abilities may limit an individual’s ability to ride and pass this class. Established performance standards must be met for graduation. You must be able to control the clutch, throttle and direction of the motorcycle.

Class Expectations

Students are expected to conduct themselves in a professional manner. We have a ZERO tolerance policy for alcohol and other drugs. Students who fail to respond to coaching or intentionally interfere with other students’ learning may be asked to leave. Our goal is to create a safe, positive learning environment.

What if I’m not able to pass the class?
Sometimes students are unable to pass the class on the first try. If you do not pass the skills evaluation or the writing evaluation, you may schedule a retest. Please call us for details. If you fail both evaluations, you must re-enroll and take the entire course from the start at the full tuition rate.

Refund / Reschedule Policy:

There will be NO refunds if you do not pass the class, do not show up to the first class for any reason, or are dropped for not following all of the requirements:
 1. Fees are not refundable for ANY reason once the course begins.
 2. If you are late to any portion of the class for any reason, you forfeit the entire course fee.
 3. Refunds and/or rescheduling must be requested at least 7 days prior to your class, any refunds requested after 7 day policy will not be granted.

ADDITIONAL FEES TO RESCHEDULE:
No show to any session…………………………………… Pay full amount again
Self-drop from class………………………………………….Pay full amount again
Counseled out of class Retake Fee…………………….$100 (non refundable, non transferable)
Repeat of any class or range session……………….$100 (non refundable, non transferable)

Failed Skills or Written test only…………………………………. No charge (test only)

Counseled out of class rescheduling must be done within 60 days of original class to receive discounted price. After 60 days, the full amount will be charged to take the class again.

Failing either the written or skills test more than 2 times requires you to repeat the entire class at the full amount.

A paid in full registration allows a student to take the class one (1) time. In addition, one (1) re-test of each test is allowed for failing students. No refund or partial refund will be given to failing students.

Student Status Classifications:

1. Passing Student is defined as one who completes each class session in order and receives an 80% or higher on the Knowledge test and 20 points or lower on the Skills Test.

2. No Shows are defined as a student who fails to show up to any of the class or range sessions, and does not give a 7-day notice. If a student fails to show up to any of the sessions and does not give 7 day notice, they forfeit their place in the class and registration fees.

3. Self-drop is defined as a student who participates in part of the course, but voluntarily withdraws before completion. No refund or partial refund will be given to self-drop students.

4. Counseled Out Students are defined for the following reasons:

A. Unsafe – Unsafe is defined as a student deemed unsafe to continue in training. This determination will be made at the sole discretion of the Instructor. A counseled-out student may return but must repeat the entire class from the beginning and in order regardless of what point in the class the student is dismissed.
 B. Late arrival – Late arrival is defined as a student who is not present at the assigned start time of the class. Students are required to arrive to riding sessions 10 minutes before the start of each session. Sessions will start promptly at the assigned time. Any student who is not present at the assigned start time will be considered counseled out and a stand-by student may be given their
 space in the class.
 C. Unprepared – Unprepared is defined as a student who arrives without proper safety gear. Students must have all of their proper riding gear (long sleeve shirt, sturdy long pants, sturdy over the ankle footwear, and either street specific motorcycle gloves or 100% leather gloves). Students who arrive without proper safety gear will not be able to participate and will be counseled out.
D. Notified no show – Notified no show is defined as a student who fails to appear for an assigned class session but notifies the office less than 7 days in advance. These students will be classified as a counseled-out student.

Re-test Policy. 

Re-tests only must be completed within 60 days of the originally failed class. Skills & Knowledge re-tests are scheduled through the Sierra Steel Harley-Davidson Riding Academy and given on weekdays & weekends for free if they are taken with a subsequent class during that classes testing time.

 Each student must have a valid government issued photo ID.  For a student that is 15 1/2 and does not have a drivers license, a high school ID that has a photo is acceptable. Identification can be from California, another state, or another country. Credit card for payment.

Helmet  Full-face or ¾ DOT-compliant helmets are preferred. Half helmets are prohibited. Personal helmets are subject to inspection for DOT-compliance and to make sure they are in good working condition. 

Eye protection  Face shield, goggles, or some form of sun/eyeglasses. They may be tinted or clear. Ordinary prescription glasses may be worn. 

Gloves Must be full finger and cannot be open on the back of the hand. They must be street-motorcycle specific and/or durable leather. Mechanic gloves, batting gloves, Mom’s dish-washing gloves are surgeon’s glove are NOT acceptable.

Pants You must wear long, durable pants. No exceptions. Denim, textile, or leather jeans are preferred. All pants are required to have NO holes in them and must come down to the foot. Spandex or cotton leggings are NOT acceptable.

Shoes/Boots Over the ankle with little to no heel. Shoes can be an athletic or hiking shoe that provides reinforced ankle support. Boots are preferred. Your footwear should have a good rubber sole for traction and the heel shouldn’t be higher than what is commonly on a “work boot”. Thin fabric shoes made of canvas or other fabrics that do not provide support are NOT acceptable. The classic converse all star “Chuck Taylor” or dress shoe are examples of shoes that DO NOT meet the requirements.

Jacket Durable leather or textile jacket (armored, motorcycle-specific is preferred) or a long sleeve shirt that covers the wrist is acceptable. (Shirts along will barely protect you in an accident) If you are taking the 1-Day Premier course a motorcycle riding jacket is required. 

Attendance is highly required to pass our courses, if you arrive late to your scheduled class, you will no longer be able to continue with that class and will need to contact the Riding Academy Manager, to further discuss your options for rescheduling which may include extra fees. 

Harley Davidson Beginner Rider's Course, does not give a student their motorcycle endorsement (M1). Students who pass the course will receive a  DMV skills test waiver (DL389) that allows you to skip the riding skills test at the DMV. Therefore, graduates will only need to take the written test for their motorcycle endorsement (M1). 

4365 Rawleigh Ct, Chico, CA 95973